Hey guys I have a question about a TPI Fuel Pump. I'm looking into an 89 Firebird with a 5.0, which is TPI right? I'm almost sure it is, I think the guy would have mentioned if it was a TBI or if it was carburated. In the Worst case scenario though, I'll ask both questions.


How bad is it changing the fuel pump with TPI? Changing the fuel pump with carburated isnt that bad, but I have never done one on a TPI and I hear they can be bad. Also, is it just as big a pain to change one with TBI, or easier/harder?

Reason I ask is because I'm looking into an 89 Firebird thats about 45 minutes away. Only thing it needs to get it running again is the Fuel Pump. He's selling for a reasonable price, and I'll have money for the fuel pump and some extra for some of the other minor things it needs. Obviously though, I cant drive it back without a fuel pump. My friend knows how to change one on car with TPI, but If it's a real lenghty process I'm not sure if the guy will let me do it at his house. I cant afford like $250 to tow it, so changing it there (with my friends help of course, he's done a couple before) would be my only option.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

it doesn't matter if its tbi or tpi, if its fuel injected, the pump is in the tank. To change it requires dropping the fuel tank, while requires dropping the axle, removing the exhaust, some suspensions and other parts. If you are mechanically inclined and have the proper tools, you can swap it in a long afternoon, or with an extra set of hands, a few hours, depending on the cars condition.

I would not attempt to change the pump at the guys house, it will take at least a few hours under good circumstances if you know what you are doing, and you need a variety of tools. You will have to have it towed, or pass on it.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I have a friend who is and I have a few friends who could give me a hand doing it. The car is in pretty solid condition. So you'd think about a few hours? I honestly wouldnt know where to start, but like I said my friend has done it before so as long as he could guide me then it should be fine.

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Thanks for the reply. I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but I have a friend who is and I have a few friends who could give me a hand doing it. The car is in pretty solid condition. So you'd think about a few hours? I honestly wouldnt know where to start, but like I said my friend has done it before so as long as he could guide me then it should be fine.

I dont think the guy selling it should have a problem with us changing it there if it'll only take a few hours. I cant afford to tow it, it would prabobly be over $300 for 50 minutes away. Do you need any special tools to do it?

 

the hardest part is the exhaust, If that comes apart, your good. Otherwise, cut if off, and theres your excuse to buy a cat-back.

 

a few hours is under perfect conditions, no broken bolts, and all the required tools, and knowledge of what you are doing. Expect it to take the whole afternoon, but again, i would not recommend trying to swap it in the driveway of the previous owners house.

How do you know that the pump is bad? there are a handful of other things that can cause the car to not start or get fuel. It would really suck to spend all this time and have the pump not be the issue. then you are stuck with a car on somebody else's property that still doesnt run, and will have to tow it anyway. Give this some though and research what is required before you commit to doing this.

 

this is true, its most likely that the car has stock or older exhaust, you will have to cut it off to preform the job, them you have to get it back together somehow in order to drive the car back. Not something to get involved with 45 minutes from home.

You will need a good level surface to work on, pavement, concrete ect, not grass, gravel is not the best either.

you will need a floor jack, jack stands, something to cut the exhaust with? (power tools), various hand tools, wrenches sockets, screwdrivers, ect. Removing the suspension bolts with hand tools will SUCK!!! an air compressor with air tools is the ideal way to go, you will have to empty the tank, so you need a siphon and fuel jugs, probably have to change fuel filters too.....

do you see where this is going? this is a lot to try and accomplish that far from home, and if you forget something you are screwed, if a part breaks, you are screwed.

 

my fuel pump failed on my 90 TPI. it took me all of a 3-day weekend to do it, but then i wasn't rushing myself since i was driving my back-up vehicle.

I did have the luxury of doing it at my house, had every possible tool i needed available, the shop manual, jack stands, multiple floor jacks, etc. it took 2 days to get the tank out because i kept lowering the axle a bit and then trying to see if i could squeeze/slide the tank out, a very frustrating experience. On day 2, I realized i'd have to really lower the axle a whole damn lot no way around it, and realized i'd just have to bite the bullet, and started undoing all the axle mechanicals. should mention it also took a few hours to get all the gas out of the tank because of the baffles in the tank and fill pipe. i'm lucky my exhaust disassembled real easy.

once the tank was out, replacing the electrical pump in the tank probably took less than an hour, the kit had everything, all the right parts, connectorized right, etc, and putting everything back took a whole darn day.

my car had crapped out at the mall and i did have to get it towed home.